And the last guest post for June by Aaron Paul Lazar rather follows on from last week's. I think it's kind of fun to look at these things, at how writers manipulate this whole other universe...and sometimes I wonder if, as in my Displaced Detective series, that universe really exists someplace...and what the effects of our manipulations might really be...-Stephanie Osbornhttp://www.stephanie-osborn.com~~~Bringing Back the Dead by Aaron Paul Lazar We writers don't often get to resurrect our dead. For years I’ve regretted murdering one particularly sweet character early in my LeGarde Mystery series, specifically in the second book, Upstaged, where a psychopath lurks backstage in the high school musical. The victim: Ethel Fox, who loves dogs, is a high school janitor, and volunteers to help with the drama club’s productions. Ethel also happens to have Down Syndrome. Looking back now, I realize I probably cast her as a victim to rile up my readers with righteous anger, and to make the villain scream “evil”. Now, five years later, I want a do-over. My cardinal rules include no killing of main characters—after all, these folks carry the series through its ten books. I’ll never kill Gus or Camille, or Siegfried, even if you might worry that they’re dead in some books[1] (wink). But the featured characters, who change from book to book, are always fair game. When my publisher, Lida Quillen at Twilight Times Books, expressed interest in re-releasing my first two books[2] along with the rest of the series as the “author’s preferred editions,” I was overjoyed. Now I could repair some of those newbie-writer awkward phrases, get rid of the excess adverbs and adjectives, and tidy up the prose. Besides, after writing fifteen books (I have three mystery series now), my skills have improved. It’s only natural to look back at one’s first books and grimace. So, after securing rights from the first publisher, I signed the new contracts and started the rewrites. I didn’t change much in Double Forté, except to tidy up the prose, add a bit more spice to a few scenes, and delete a bunch of excess words. But when I started to polish Upstaged, I remembered an embarrassing and awkward experience I had last year, and was consumed with the idea of tweaking the plot. While working at a facility for physically and intellectually challenged adults who love music, art, writing, and theater, my daughter Melanie invited me in to help during their summer festival. I arrived feeling quite virtuous, since I took a vacation day to volunteer, but instead of “helping” the folks there, I spent the day being humbled, time after time. The individuals radiated joy, and were delirious with excitement because they were about to put on a musical show for their visitors. Family and friends crowded the facility, and although I saw evidence of serious physical and intellectual “disabilities,” I was convinced these lovely people did not in any sense of the word feel disabled on that day. They danced and sang in the hallways, held hands and giggled, painted gorgeous pictures from wheelchairs (some were displayed in local art shows), and delighted in the costumes in which they’d been dressed for the celebration. While I snapped pictures for their scrapbooks, I fell in love with the people and teachers, was suitably humbled, and realized that after eight hours of fun, I had received much more than I’d given. A few days later, I donated Upstaged to one of the higher functioning members of the writing class, knowing that she loved musicals. So, a year passed, and the writing teacher asked me if I’d come in and give a talk to her students who loved books and writing. Thrilled, I arranged the date. We had a blast, and talked for almost two hours. They asked great questions, and I delighted in their company. It was after the class while I was donating more books that I suddenly remembered I’d killed off a character with Down Syndrome in Upstaged. What had I been thinking? Why did I donate the very book where I let the villain kill a character who represents so many people at this arts center? Was I insane? To be honest, it had been so long since I’d written the book, I really hadn’t remembered about Ethel, but when I did, I kicked myself. Repeatedly. It was this experience that made me bring Ethel back to life. Not only did I prevent her murder in a way that didn’t goof up the original plot, but I gave her a cuter name. What kind of a name is Ethel for a sweet, helpful, loving lady? Her new name is Cindi. I think it fits her. Don’t you? The Lord keeps me humble. It’s a good thing. There’s nothing worse than a big-headed fool. But frankly, he doesn’t have to work very hard at it. I give him lots of help. The newest book in the LeGarde Mystery series, Don’t Let the Wind Catch You, #6, has just been released. It’s stands alone like all of the other books in the series and can be read in any order. I try to write all my series like this so folks can pick up any book at any time and enjoy it. Don’t Let the Wind Catch You is a sequel to the prequel of Double Forté (Tremolo: cry of the loon was the prequel.) I seriously hope there are no urges ten years from now to get another “do-over” with this book, because that cycle of self-doubt and the obsessive need to perfect can be exhausting. I hereby declare that I am happy with this story and will not come back in years to come to nitpick it to death. There. I said it. Now I just have to stick to my promise (grin). [1] Mazurka, (2009 Twilight Times Books) [2] Double Forté (2005), Upstaged (2006) ~~~I think that all writers, at some point, experience a desire for a "do-over." Sometimes we get it, and sometimes we don't. And sometimes, I think, it's better that the book is taken out of our hands at a certain point! I know that I have an unquenchable tendency to "tweak" repeatedly, and will continue to do so no matter how good the book may already be. These tweaks, if not reined in, can actually spoil a perfectly good book. So I am, so far, thankful that I have NOT had an opportunity for a "do-over"!-Stephanie Osbornhttp://www.stephanie-osborn.com Source:

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Radio host Kidd Kraddick dies at age 53, David "Kidd" Kraddick, the high-octane radio and TV host of the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show heard on dozens of U.S. radio stations, has died at a charity golf event near New Orleans, a publicist said. Kraddick was 53.The Texas-based radio and television personality, whose program is syndicated by YEA Networks, died at his Kidd's Kids charity function in the New Orleans suburb of Gretna on Saturday, said publicist Ladd Biro in releasing a network statement."He died doing what he loved," said Biro, of the public relations firm Champion Management, speaking with AP by phone early Sunday. He said he had no further details on the death.The Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show is heard on more than 75 Top 40 and Hot AC radio stations and is a leader among most-listened-to contemporary morning programs, Biro said. The radio program also is transmitted globally on American Forces Radio Network while the show's cast is also seen weeknights on the nationally syndicated TV show Dish Nation, he added."All of us with YEA Networks and the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning crew are heartbroken over the loss of our dear friend and leader," the network statement said. "Kidd devoted his life to making people smile every morning, and for 21 years his foundation has been dedicated to bringing joy to thousands of chronically and terminally ill children.""He died doing what he loved, and his final day was spent selflessly focused on those special children that meant the world to him," it added.The Dallas Morning News reported Kraddick had been a staple in the Dallas market since 1984, starting in a late-night debut. The newspaper said he moved into morning show work by the early 1990s in that market and his show began to gain wider acclaim and entered into syndication by 2001 as he gained a following in cities nationwide.Kraddick would have turned 54 on Aug. 22, according to Biro.The network statement said the cause of death would be released "at the appropriate time."Many fans, celebrities included, tweeted condolences and talked about the death on social media sites. One Texas radio station where he was a mainstay ran photographs on its website of Kraddick at the microphone.Word of Kraddick's passing spread quickly via social media."RIP Kidd Kraddick. You were an amazing man and a friend. You are already missed," Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted."Oh Man, I just heard Kidd Kraddick died! He's my childhood dj. What a sad day. His poor family. He was always nice 2 me from the beginning," singer Kelly Clarkson tweeted.Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, only recently announced as the headline act of a planned first-ever Kidd's Kids charity concert in Dallas next month, wrote: "The sad sad news about Kidd Kraddick is shocking. He will be missed greatly."Richie Tomblin, described as the head golf professional at the Timberlane Country Club in Gretna on its website, told AP that Kraddick wasn't looking well when he saw him getting ready for Saturday's charity event."He came out and he borrowed my golf clubs and went out to the driving range," Tomblin told AP when contacted by phone. "It's kind of a freaky situation. He came out. He practiced a little bit. He hit the ball at the first tee and wasn't feeling good and after that I didn't see him."Tomblin said the hundreds of amateur golfers taking part went ahead with the event Saturday. He added he only found out afterward that Kraddick had died and he was still shaken about it."I'm still trying to figure it out. I really don't know what happened. Everyone keeps texting me asking, 'What's going on?' I really don't know," said Tomblin.He added he was reluctant to even touch the set of clubs Kraddick had borrowed Saturday for his practice swings. Source:

Saturday, July 27, 2013

David Miller and Lonwabo Tsotsobe played key roles as South Africa stunned hosts Sri Lanka by 56 runs in the third one-dayer in Pallekele on Friday to stay afloat in the five-match series.Miller plundered a robust 85 not out off 72 balls to steer South Africa to 223-7 after unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis had reduced the tourists to 154-7 in the 42nd over.Tsotsobe then ripped through Sri Lanka's top order with three wickets in the space of six runs before finishing with 4-22 as the hosts were bundled out for 167 in the day-night game.The victory ended South Africa's 11-match losing streak in one-day cricket on Sri Lankan soil and gave AB de Villiers' tourists a badly-needed win in the current series. With Sri Lanka 2-1 ahead, South Africa must also win the fourth match at the same venue on Sunday to take the series into the decider in Colombo next Wednesday.Thisara Perera lit up the gloomy evening for the hosts by smashing five sixes and a boundary in the 33rd over sent down by left-arm spinner Robin Peterson.With the second ball declared a wide, the 35 runs taken in the over fell just one run short of the world record of six sixes hit by South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs off Dutch bowler Daan van Bunge during the 2007 World Cup.Perera's run sequence in the over was six, a wide, six, six, six, four and a six, but his sensational hitting came too late for the hosts to deliver an unlikely win.Left-handed Perera made 65 off 49 balls with five sixes and as many boundaries, before he was caught in the deep off Farhaan Behardien, who finished with three for 19.Sri Lanka paid the penalty for a shoddy batting display in which six batsmen failed to reach double figures and only two others entered their 20s.Earlier, Miller hit five sixes and four boundaries to boost the total from 100-5 after South Africa had won the toss and elected to take first strike.Skipper AB de Villiers led the recovery with 47, before left-handed Miller pushed the scoring with his fifth one-day half-century, the first by a South African in the series.Miller put on 69 for the eighth wicket with Ryan McLaren, who remained unbeaten on 14.google_ad_client = 'ca-pub-3851116590510330';/* large rectangle */google_ad_slot = '6638537313';google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280; Source:http://latestnewspics.blogspot.com/2013/07/south-africa-win-to-stay-alive.html

Captain Bob Kitching was presented with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, some few months back. Captain Kitching might be a familiar name to you, for his long service to the west coast marine community, most recently leading the Maritime Education Associates, and being the financial backer and more importantly, vision, behind Western Maritime Institute (WMI). WMI is a sizable, accredited, and Transport Canada approved, private maritime training facility on Vancouver Island, just south of Nanaimo. They provide deck officer certification training as well as all Marine Emergency Training (MED), and more. Previously, he was dean of BCIT’s Marine Campus in North Vancouver, and has been involved in numerous marine projects on the west coast of Canada for many years before.The Diamond Jubilee medal celebrates the Queen’s 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne, and has been awarded to individuals “to honour the significant contributions and achievement by Canadians”. Indeed, Captain Kitching is a deserving candidate for his tireless contribution to our marine community, through his vision and training initiatives over the years, when most men his age are enjoying a comfortable retirement. It is little wonder he was nominated by peers, and community leaders, to be awarded this prestigious recognition. Congratulations Captain Kitching !Capt Bob Kitching, at WMIThe Monitor. A blog for professional Marine Engineers in the commercial maritime world. Source:http://dieselduck.blogspot.com/2013/07/captains-contribution-recognized-by.html

Friday, July 26, 2013

Mick Jagger: 'I'd love to play Hyde Park again'...Frontman says the Rolling Stones' gigs there earlier this month were not a time for reflection The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger says that he would love to play Hyde Park again. The band played two headline gigs in the London park earlier this month (July 6 and 13) to mark the close of their 50th anniversary tour. This week, they announced details of a live album recorded during the shows, which is available now on iTunes. Speaking to NME about the gigs, Jagger says they were not a time to think back to the last time the band played there in 1969 at a huge, free concert shortly after the death of their bandmate Brian Jones. Jagger famously wore white and read from Shelley’s poem Adonaïs, and hundreds of white butterflies were released in Jones' memory. Comparing the 2013 date to 1969, he says: "Well the stage was less crowded. The funny thing is when you see the '69 one it's all your mates onstage sitting down. But this time I saw some of my kids sitting on the side of stage. It's like chalk and cheese really."He added: "It's in the same place so it's very memorable but when you get out there you don’t really think about it. When you're there and you're getting ready, you take that in. But once you get out there, it's a gig, so you can't be thinking, 'Oh this is where we were last time,' or, 'That's the Post Office tower'. If you do that, you just blow everything. You can't think about reflections or where you are. The only thing you can do is concentrate on your performance."When asked if he would play Hyde Park again, Jagger replied: "Not this year… I haven't given it any thought and nor has it been offered. But I’d love to do it. It's a great gig. I did enjoy it. It was beautiful… It turned out to be so wonderful with the sun going down behind the park. It was a perfect London evening."'The Rolling Stones - Hyde Park Live' tracklisting is: 'Start Me Up''It’s Only Rock 'N' Roll (But I Like It)''Tumbling Dice''Emotional Rescue''Street Fighting Man''Ruby Tuesday''Doom And Gloom''Paint, It Black''Honky Tonk Women''You Got The Silver''Before They Make Me Run''Miss You''Midnight Rambler''Gimme Shelter''Jumpin' Jack Flash''Sympathy For The Devil''Brown Sugar''You Can't Always Get What You Want''(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' Source: